Concert on 13 December
The Chichester Music Society’s Christmas 2022 Bursary Holders Concert was held at the University of Chichester on 13 December. This annual event has become a favourite among our members, not least as the programme is highly varied, showing the wide sweep of musical activities at the University. This year was no exception, and the programme opened with a jazz performance by singer Joseph Williams.
Joseph was accompanied by Saul Hughes, who offered at three hours’ notice to take over the piano accompaniment, and the audience would never have known if they had not been told by a very appreciative Joseph Williams. Saul’s accompaniment was versatile and sympathetic and completely understood the singer, and was simply so very good, especially with such little rehearsal time.
Joseph’s choice included songs that he had written himself, including his university dissertation piece “My Foolish Heart”, and went from the extremely challenging vocals of “All of Me” to the smoochy, late-night dreamy version of “I get on without you very well”.
We were then entertained by violinist Saba Safa, a scholarship student from Persia, doing her Master’s degree in Music Performance at Chichester University. Her first piece, which she dedicated to the people of Iran at the present time, was a piece called Calligraphy No 5, by Iranian composer Reza Vali. His music is classical, yet with a distinctive Persian atmospheric emphasis, and Saba’s interpretation was much enjoyed by the audience.
Her second piece was an extract from Sibelius Violin Concerto in D Minor. Her playing was a pleasure to listen to and her musical ability proved that she is a worthy CMS Bursary Holder.
As soprano Melodie Hornett was unwell, Saba’s accompanist & Head of Music at the University, Ben Hall, kindly stepped in to close the evening with some seasonal fun on the chapel organ.
Chris Hough, Chairman of CMS, congratulating all the participants said, “As always, this Bursary Holders concert is a breath of fresh air, showing what good musicians CMS bursary holders are, and also introducing us to different vogues of music that have developed at the University of Chichester under Ben Hall’s direction.”
The evening ended with mince pies and a glass of wine or soft drinks, with the audience contributing to the CMS Charitable Fund for Future Bursaries.
Chris Linford
